Ashburton’s Ella Rickard has been selected for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She will be joining an expedition to the Sub Antarctic Islands. Dellwyn Moylan reports.
Eighteen-year-old Ella Rickard will soon be learning from world-class scientists as she embarks on a trip to the Sub Antarctic Islands.
Last year graduating from Ashburton College, Rickard is this year studying for a double Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in environment and biology, at Canterbury University.
She will join nine other students chosen from 140 to undertake a two-week expedition aboard the HMS Canterbury with day trips to Auckland and Campbell Islands in March.
It is a BLAKE Expedition, an environmental education programme of the Sir Peter Blake Trust.
‘‘It is very cool to be able to go on the trip,’’ Rickard said.
‘‘The experience will be amazing, visiting places most people never get the opportunity to go to,’’ Rickard said.
‘‘Visiting the Sub-Antarctic and getting to immerse myself in that vastly different environment has always been something I’ve wanted to do.
‘‘And I am immensely grateful to have been given this opportunity at such a young age,’’ she said.
Rickard is most excited about learning from the world class scientists and environmental leaders about their work on the islands. The students will assist with activities like trappings on the islands.
‘‘At this point we aren’t sure exactly which island we can access as some require permits to be issued to us to go on them.
She is looking forward to taking part in the programme which includes the trip but also raising awareness and profile of the trust.
The trust was established in 2004 and is dedicated to continuing Sir Peter Blake’s environmental leadership legacy.
Blake was New Zealand’s most celebrated yachtsman who led his team and New Zealand to victory in both the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race and the America’s Cup.
He was also a passionate and relentless champion for the environment, having spent his life on the ocean. He was killed in 2001 by pirates while in the Amazon.
‘‘Sir Peter Blake believed that the best way for students to show their commitment to an expedition was to contribute to its success.’’
Rickard has raised $525 as of this week towards her goal of $2000. Along with raising the funds she is also working to increase awareness of the trust and its work.
Rickard was head of the Ashburton College Environment committee last year. She has previously been part of another of the Blake Programmes – Inspire which focuses on environmental issues and leadership.
At last week’s Advance Ashburton Community Foundation scholarship awards ceremony she received an Ashburton Jaycees Personal Development scholarship which enabled her to take part in a Spirit of Adventure sailing programme last month.
- – Anyone wanting to support Ella and the Sir Peter Blake Trust can go to givealittle.co. nz/cause/blake-expedition-to-the-subantarctic-islands-2
